2013 nov throne speech.pdf
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2013 SPEECH FROM THE
THRONE8 November
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Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
Bermudians throughout their long history have proven to be innovative, pragmatic,
resilient and smart.
These characteristics have been revealed most particularly in times of economic
challenge and change.
The Islands motto, Whither The Fates Lead Us, speaks to these very traits;
reecting Bermudas innate, time-tested ability to adapt to the ups and downs of an
often turbulent world. And the record shows that Bermuda knows not only how to
survive, but how to prosper and thrive.
Together, Bermudians have experienced remarkable success, merging the wisdom of
centuries with the skills and know-how of current generations always building for
a better tomorrow.
In a world that appears ever segmented and self-absorbed, we remain a living
community in every sense of the word: anchored to neighbourhoods and social clubs,
maintained by everyday courtesies and revealed in town hall meetings and radio
call-in shows; all of us living within the life of this great Island. This is something to
preserve and build on.
But today our community once again faces a test of great signicance for its future.
The scourge of unemployment takes its toll on thousands every day, draining
self-esteem and straining family life. Gun violence erupts to shatter families and
demoralize communities. Massive debt and alarming annual spending decits hobble
our ability to act, narrowing future choices.
Do Bermudians have what it takes to weather the storm, as we have done throughouthistory? Do we have what it takes to adapt and change, to solve problems and emerge
stronger and more together than before?
The Government is unreservedly condent Bermudians can and will do it.
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Progress will depend not just on Government actions to fulll its mandate for change;
but on people understanding that we are all in this boat together and that decisions
taken to keep the boat aoat are decisions taken to keep everyone aoat.
The challenge for everyone will be to exercise patience and understanding whileefforts to solve longstanding problems take hold. The scale and complexity of the
challenges we face is such that society-wide improvements will not happen as fast as
they need to happen.
Progress will also depend on collaboration and willingness to sacrice for the good
of the Island. This summers successful negotiations with the Bermuda Trade Union
Congress (the BTUC) for a contract that took into account Governments debt situation
stands as an example of collaboration and shared sacrice.
The challenge for Government will be to spread the spirit of shared sacrice to all
stakeholder groups, particularly those who can help relieve peoples hardships. To
that end, and in keeping with a promise made in negotiations with the BTUC, the
Government initiated discussions on the cost of food and electricity. As a result, The
MarketPlace, Supermart and Lindos will expand food cost relief by introducing 10%
discounted shopping on Wednesdays for one year with effect from 1 December 2013.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
It is time for us all to play our part. It is time to use these tough times as an opportunity
to right the ship, everyone pulling together to x the Island so that it works better for
families and students, for seniors and workersfor everyone.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Governments operating vision is to achieve social and economic equity for all
Bermudians, leaving no one behind.
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It is a vision made possible by the deeply compassionate nature of Bermudians and
the widely felt yearning for a society that is more fair, free and just. It is a vision that
depends on economic growth.
The Government will make progress to implement the vision in the rst instanceby meeting the practical day-to-day needs of people: safe communities, schools that
enable their children to live productive lives; and good-paying jobs that make it
possible for Bermudians to support their families.
Bermuda in recent years faltered in these crucial areas, nowhere more so than in
the economys diminished capacity to generate and maintain enough jobs to keep
Bermudians working.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Governments primary objective since coming to ofce has been to give Bermudians
a new chance, by breathing life back into the economy so that it is growing jobs,
not losing them; giving people a chance to provide for their loved ones and to carry
themselves through each day with pride and purpose.
The Governments focus has been on rebuilding the economic foundation of the Island,to unblock the job-creating power of the private sector and restore condence in the
Island as a place to do business.
Growing the economy, getting more people and dollars to our shores, is the most
direct way to generate the jobs, paycheques and opportunity that Bermudians need.
It is also surest way to generate the revenue necessary to pay for social programmes
and pay down the Islands debt.
Measures to refresh the Islands attractiveness to international business and investorsare a critical part of the Governments economic turnaround plan.
The damaging impact brought about by the departure of thousands of international
workers and their families is a warning Bermuda must heed. Their departures
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represent the outer layers of a sector of the economy that generates more than half of
the Islands total economic activity.
Steps to reverse this trend to stop the bleeding are being taken because jobs
and opportunity at all levels of the economy depend on an international sector that isthriving, not diminishing.
Bermudians can play their part in the turnaround by recognizing the importance of
international business to their personal well-being and to the larger community.
The Island cannot succeed for its people without the participation of the outside world.
Only by opening our doors to foreign investors, only by attracting more people to our
shores, can we achieve the kind of recovery that grows jobs and incomes.
This is nothing new for Bermuda. The Island has always relied on foreign investment
to grow the economy whether through investors building hotels, allies constructing
military bases or international businesses setting up shop. The infusion of foreign
capital and activity across generations has generated opportunity for Bermudians
in untold ways in careers and business opportunities, in scholarships and the
building of family homes, in public works from road paving to cruise ship piers, and
in Bermudas remarkable standard of living compared to most other countries.
The underlying challenge in maintaining this symbiotic relationship between non-
Bermudians and Bermudians is for the Government to make sure Bermudian
opportunity and workplace rights are protected while international workers are made
welcome. Maintaining this balance is one of the Governments most important duties.
The passage in October of increased penalties for employers who breach immigration
rules alongside the Incentives for Job Makers Act is an example of the Government
maintaining that balance.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Government is embarked on a ve-year plan to recover lost ground and revive
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The Commissions complete report will be tabled in the House of Assembly later
this month for full Parliamentary debate. The Government will subsequently put
forward a plan to implement the Commissions recommendations, with consultation
on proposed change being an integral part of the process.
The work of the SAGE Commission represents an historic opportunity to re-set the
foundation of governance in Bermuda; streamlining Government processes, improving
delivery of services, making them more efcient, cost-effective, transparent and user-
friendly.
Legislation will be amended to strengthen debt collection and enforcement measures.
The Government is currently owed approximately $70 million in unpaid taxes.
Collected monies will be deposited into the Consolidated Fund to support social
programmes without incurring additional debt.
The Finance Ministry, with its Government partners, will continue efforts to restore
condence in Bermuda as a place to do business. Condence is the lynchpin for
economic growth and the jobs that come with it. With condence, investors invest
in projects that keep societies moving forward; without it, hotels do not get built,
infrastructure ages and waterfronts do not get redeveloped.
Steps to regain that condence are difcult to quantify, but the success of Bermudas
$750 million bond issue last summer indicates that major investors have condence
in the Governments economic turnaround plan.
The Finance Ministry will complete the remainder of its strategic borrowing
requirements later this month with a $BD50 million bond issue in Bermuda. The
bonds offer Bermudians a chance to invest in the Island and achieve a higher return
on their investment dollars.
The Ministry will take steps toward the formation of an Ofce of the Contractor
General to oversee Government projects from tendering to completion, to ensure
rules, guidelines and policies are strictly enforced and to identify unfair practices
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or offensive conduct. An Ofce of the Contractor General will be an important step
toward transparency, best value and more effective control of Government spending.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Ministry of Economic Development is committed to facilitating sustainable
economic growth and job creation. Over the past year, it has worked closely with
other key ministries through the Cabinet Committee for Economic Development to
make progress on infrastructure and resort development and will continue to do so.
The Ministry has also worked with the business community to create a more welcoming
environment for both existing and new business. The results are reected in the rising
number of new local and international companies on the Register through the rst
three quarters of the year. By 30 September 2013, 19,270 companies were registered,
representing the largest total number ever on the Register.
While the full effect of these newly registered companies will not be felt immediately,
over time the Government expects to see more widespread economic benets from
these companies. Not all, but many, will be renting ofce space, hiring staff, and
purchasing goods and services from local providers.
The Bermuda Business Development Corporation now called the Bermuda Business
Development Agency (the BDA) was formed with Ministry support in April as
a public-private partnership. The BDA was established to promote Bermuda as a
business centre and to help develop and diversify our international business sector.
The new CEO and Board have already begun to implement strategies designed to
bring business, economic growth and jobs to Bermuda.
The BDAs proactive approach prompted the hosting of a two-day Asset Management
Summit in Bermuda earlier in the summer where US-based hedge fund lawyers and
prime brokers provided invaluable feedback which led to recent amendments to the
Investment Funds Act. The amendments were the centrepiece of a well-coordinated
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Business Development mission to New York to capitalize on the momentum and
encourage more nancial service businesses to choose Bermuda.
The newly launched International Business Concierge service coordinated by
the Ministry and the BDA has already directly assisted 26 companies to set upoperations in Bermuda, including the forerunner of a new potential industry of bio-
tech, life-science and high-end medical diagnostic companies.
To provide further economic stimulus to the islands retail sector, the Ministry has
been working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Registrar of Companies to
introduce legislative amendments to the Public Holidays Act 1947 to increase the
exibility afforded to businesses with regard to their opening times.
The high cost of energy is an important factor for residents and business alike and
it is an issue that companies and developers consider when looking at the Island as
a potential domicile. Following the successful launch of the Regulatory Authority in
January of 2013, the Ministry of Economic Development will move the regulation of
Energy to this independent body. This move will involve changes to the Energy Act
2009 and the Regulatory Authority Act 2011. One of the aims of this initiative is to
help lower the cost of energy for consumers.
The Bermuda Energy Working Group has been formed and comprises a diverse groupof energy professionals, independent engineers, non-governmental organizations
and interested members of the public, working in collaboration to provide advice
and guidance to the Department of Energy. One of their primary tasks is to develop
equitable interconnection agreements for independent power producers to contribute
to the production of electricity, a development that can lead to price competition,
diversied energy production, increased use of renewable energy sources and the
opportunity for lower-cost fuels such as natural gas.
The Ministry of Economic Development will also be working with the Bermuda
Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Ofce of Project Management
and Procurement to boost small business by ensuring that up to 20% of Government
spending on goods and services is awarded to small business. Small businesses on
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the BEDC register will be able to avail themselves of BEDC advisory and nancing
services as well as Government tender offers aimed at small businesses.
Work to strengthen and grow the Departments of Civil Aviation and Maritime
Administration will continue through 2014. These are important departments forBermuda as they oversee the Aircraft and Shipping registers. The focus in 2014 is to
ensure that these departments are properly staffed to meet international requirements
and to provide a growing revenue stream for the country. In addition, the Ministry will
continue to develop Bermudas satellite and space business, following the successful
bringing into use of Bermudas satellite slot in April.
The Ministry, working with the Home Affairs Ministry, will move forward with
proposals to improve property market conditions. Issues with holding, acquiring
and conveying land will be claried and streamlined through amendments to the
Companies Act 1981 and consequential amendments to the Bermuda Immigration
and Protection Act 1956.
The amendments should prove benecial to both commercial and residential markets,
providing condence and certainty. In addition, they will build on the initiative behind
the recently passed Incentives for Job Makers Act to deepen the bond with existing
companies and ensure their continuing presence and employment of Bermudians.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to strengthening the regulatory
environment for the rapidly changing labour market. The Government, consequently,
is forming a tripartite committee, representing unions, business and Government, to
review Bermudas labour laws with a view to the consolidating and modernizing the
legislative infrastructure.
The Committee will look at the role that labour law plays in job retention and creation
and to devise an infrastructure that is fairer, more responsive and more inclusive.
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Seven labour laws will be impacted by the Review. The Ministry will solicit the
assistance of the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a part of the process.
In order to conform to human rights obligations under the European Convention on
Human Rights, the Government will move forward with amendments to the BermudaImmigration and Protection Act 1956 to provide pathways to Bermuda status for
persons born in Bermuda or persons who have been adopted by Bermudian parents.
The Ministry will initiate community-wide consultation to encourage direct inward
investment in the Island through a commercial immigration programme that supports
business, job and career opportunities for Bermudians.
In addition, the Ministry will introduce a Good Samaritan Act to provide legal
protection to those who donate food to people in need.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
Electoral reform is an ever-evolving process in democratic societies. The aim is to
improve the responsiveness of electoral processes to public desires and expectations.
The Government, accordingly, will move forward with absentee balloting for travellers
and students away in college and measures to extend the days for advance poll fortravellers. These proposals will require amendments to the Parliamentary Election
Act 1978 as well as other consequential amendments.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The formation of the Tourism Authority represents a turning point in the history of
Bermuda tourism, whereby the private enterprise structure of the new Authority willensure an unprecedented level of accountability for the performance of the industry.
Work is currently underway to complete the structure of the newly created Authority,
with 31 March 2014 set for completion of the transition.
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The mission of the Tourism Authority, using the National Tourism Plan as a core
planning document, is to revitalize the industry; helping it to compete more effectively
in the global marketplace for both visitors and investors, and to grow jobs and career
opportunities for Bermudians.
In related work, the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport will work with
other ministries to streamline and modernize the Hotel Concessions Act. Amendments
will be designed to attract developers for new tourism resorts and products and
to facilitate the upgrading of existing properties, with provisions to encourage job
creation and training programmes for Bermudian hospitality workers.
The Department of Marine and Ports Services will update the Marine Board Act 1962
to keep pace with international best practice in marine safety and security and to
address needs specic to local boating eets. This will help the Department proactively
manage illegally moored boats and small vessel wreck removals and reduce operating
costs. The Department will also review Bermudas border and port security with
partner agencies in concert with the recently completed National Security Review.
The Department will continue the digital mapping of vessel moorings island-wide
through 2014. The GPS positioning of all moorings will lead to operational and
management efciencies, reductions in boat owner operating costs and growth in
Department revenues.
The Department of Airport Operations, in conjunction with the aerospace company
Boeing-Jeppessen, will carry out a feasibility study for Bermuda to become a certied
Air Navigation Service Provider. This would enable Bermuda-based Air Trafc
Controllers to provide air trafc management services to aircraft arriving or departing
here a service currently provided by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
and create the potential for Bermudian job opportunities in air trafc control.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
An effective transportation system is an essential component for economic growth
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and development. The Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport will continue
working with all segments of the transportation industry to develop a system that
better serves visitors and residents and that works better for operators. Broad-based
consultations will continue through the year with a view to amending the 1951 Motor
Car Act to achieve these improvements.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Government has created a Gaming Committee that is currently reviewing and
analyzing existing material on gaming, as well as gathering new information on the
subject. The committee is also considering various operating and governance models
including the establishment of a Gaming Commission.
The Government is committed to having a referendum on gaming in the rst quarter of
2014. The referendum will be preceded by a substantive public information campaign.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Bermuda Police Service has spared no effort to meet the challenge of the rise of
guns, gangs, drugs and violence in Bermuda. Since 2009, the police have deliveredstrong enforcement, genuine community engagement and rigorous investigative
efforts leading to convictions and a commensurate reduction in crime. During the
same period, police pay and benets have been signicantly increased to address
judicial ndings of a lack of parity. Having achieved this parity, the Government
will engage the Bermuda Police Association in a constructive dialogue to review and
revise the Conditions of Service Order to better reect a modern benets structure
and to take account of these economic times.
Operation Ceasere has been more fully implemented through various initiativessince the 2012 election. The strengthened community arm of the Inter-Agency Gang
Task Force is now tasked with developing a Bermuda-styled call-in procedure. This
will engage community and moral voices in direct interaction with individuals involved
in gangs, challenging them on the effect of their lifestyle on others and presenting
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alternatives for their productive return to the mainstream of the community.
The Government promised to implement a cash back for communities programme
whereby the proceeds of crime were put back into communities most affected by
violence and anti-social behaviour. The legislative platform for this initiative has been
laid with amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997. With funds realized from
seizures made to date and funds designated for the Conscated Assets Fund in the
next six months, the Government will allocate funding to support Team Street Safe,
the anti-gang mediation programme, whose mandate includes providing alternative
opportunities to those who seek to transition out of the gang lifestyle.
In addition, the Government will provide funds to Focus Counselling and the Family
Centre to help families in need, and to support short-term jobs initiatives to provide
work for out-of-work Bermudians. Other organizations will be considered as additional
funding becomes available.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Government encourages those who drink alcohol to do so responsibly. Licensed
premises will be required to effect a stricter regime for the service of alcohol.
Amendments to the Liquor Licence Act 1974 will require mandatory ID checks for bars
and nightclubs while other licence holders will be empowered to require proof of agebefore serving alcohol to patrons of their premises. The Government will continue the
consultation with the owners and operators of licensed premises to ensure that these
requirements do not adversely affect their ability to run successful establishments.
Following the success of the recent Island Games and recognizing the international
success of Bermudas competitors in shooting events, the Government will conduct a
full review of the Firearms Act 1973 with a view to developing a legal framework and
safety regime that supports competitive, sport shooting for Bermuda.
During this legislative session, the Government will introduce amendments to the
Defence Act 1965 to eliminate conscription. Additionally, further amendments to the
Act will provide for a revised legal and disciplinary system for the Bermuda Regiment
in accordance with EU standards for the modern military.
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Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Ministry of Public Safety, in keeping with the Governments commitment to public
sector efciency, has identied synergies within its various departments. Accordingly,
the parole responsibilities of the Department of Court Services will be transferred to
the Department of Corrections. This will properly separate the probation and parole
functions in a best practice model that promotes the efcient management of both
systems of supervision to the benet of clients and the general public. Similarly, the
Government will complete earlier plans to strengthen border control by placing the
control of those elements currently responsible for this critical function under the
Ministry of Public Safety.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The time has come for leadership in the public debate on marijuana. Therefore,
in this Session, the Government will produce a public consultation paper on the
decriminalization of marijuana and an examination of its wider uses. This will inform
the community of the competing research on this drug, its uses and the potential
impact any shift in policy might have on the Island. The peoples representatives
must lead a sensible, mature public discussion on this issue.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The prohibition of alcohol sales by retail outlets on Sundays has been a feature of
Bermudian society for a long time. However, times have changed. Locals and tourists
alike wish to be able to purchase beer, wines and spirits on a Sunday.
Accordingly, Government will amend the Liquor Licence Act 1974 to allow for thepurchase of wine and spirits on Sundays from retail outlets that are permitted to
operate in accordance with the Public Holidays Act 1947.
The recent Privy Council decision that reduced the sentences of two convicted
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murderers has caused disquiet in the community and has given rise to concern about
the efcacy of the criminal justice system in relation to serious offences.
In order to satisfy the public demand for adequate penalties and sanctions for murder
and serious crime, Government will amend the Criminal Code 1907 to ensure that in
cases of murder and other serious offences, a judge will be able to set the minimum
amount of time that must be served before the offender becomes eligible for parole.
During this Parliamentary Session, Government will also promulgate regulations to
support the recent amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997 that made provision
for civil proceedings before the Supreme Court to allow for recovery of property
obtained through unlawful conduct.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
Every country has a moral responsibility to ensure that its vulnerable populations
are given the greatest possible protection.
Children are protected under the Children Act 1998 and there is some protection for
seniors under the Senior Abuse Register Act 2008. But there is little in the way of
protection for persons who are between the ages of 19 years and 64 years and whomay have cognitive or other disabilities which make them vulnerable to many forms
of abuse.
The Ministry of Health and Seniors will therefore put forward a Vulnerable Persons
Act to protect the most vulnerable from predators and those who may do them harm.
In addition, the Ministry will strengthen the provisions of the Senior Abuse Register
Act 2008 to provide greater protection for vulnerable seniors.
The Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 and the Public Health Act 1949 will be
amended to introduce controls on the entry of new, high-cost health technology, which
has contributed signicantly to rising health care costs.
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In Bermudas health care system there is limited control over the introduction of
new health technology. Consequently, Bermuda has very high rates of equipment
per capita compared to other high-income countries. This high capacity inevitably
leads to high utilization, as providers have an incentive to seek a return on their
investment. The result is equipment use that is not always medically necessary andthat increases health costs. The introduction of a mechanism to control the entry of
equipment to the Island will have a positive impact on the cost of healthcare while
allowing for the importation of appropriate equipment to meet the health needs of our
population.
Bermuda, like most other countries, has an ageing population. While Ageing in Place
is the Governments policy, Bermuda will need additional long-term care beds for both
the elderly and the disabled. The Government will therefore produce a strategy for
the care of the elderly and disabled who are no longer able to stay in their own homes.
Because long-term care is an expensive proposition, a long-term care plan must take
into account the needs of the community, the ability of families to pay for care, and
the role and nancial capacity of the Government.
Vulnerable seniors and the disabled cannot be abandoned in their time of need.
Neither can their families be bankrupted by trying to manage and pay for their care.
Government has a role, but that role must be limited by policy and the ability offamilies to afford appropriate care.
The Ministry of Health and Seniors will amend the Bermuda Hospitals Board Act
1970 to provide legal protection, or shield legislation, for physicians and ofcers
of the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) involved in Quality Improvement and Peer
Review activities performed on behalf of the BHB.
The practice of good medicine requires regular review and critique by peers, but
without shield legislation this important step to ensure good quality care can be
stied. It is international best practice to complete these reviews.
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The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation has made signicant progress toward
the development of a National Sports Policy. A draft policy will be forwarded to all
stakeholders, including the National Sport Governing Bodies, for feedback. The policy
envisions sporting organizations working in partnership toward the goal of sporting
success in all areas: wide community participation, early recognition and developmentof sporting talent, training and respect for coaches, volunteers and administrators; a
world class reputation for hosting international events and a worldwide reputation
as a sporting country.
The Government is committed to building a more inclusive Bermuda; removing
impediments and barriers wherever they exist so that people have fair opportunity
in all endeavours.
In keeping to this goal, the Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports, through
the Department of Human Affairs, will develop a National Gender Policy. The policy
will establish a framework for including gender perspectives in all activities of
Government and society, helping to bring equitable considerations to decision-making
that involves the differing needs, constraints and priorities of men and women. The
Department will collaborate with similar jurisdictions in the region to produce a
policy that conforms to world best practices.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
Work on the transformation of the public education system to better serve the needs
of students, parents and the community will continue under the newly appointed
Commissioner of Education.
Following consultation and debate of the Governments Green Paper on Inclusive and
Special Educationin the upcoming session, the Ministry will draft and table a White
Paper on Inclusive and Special Education, setting out Governments plans and a
clear framework to meet the needs of all students, including gifted students and those
requiring additional educational support.
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As part of its education reform plan, the Government is committed to implementing
a modern, fully integrated technical curriculum beginning in the middle schools
and continuing through Bermuda College. One step in the plan is the expansion of
the student Career Pathways Programme, which has successfully enabled greater
linkage with industry and the business community.
To expand the programme and ensure that students leave school with an international
certication that they are employable, S3 students will be required to sit the
Employability Certication Programme offered through City and Guilds. Employers
who receive students directly out of our senior schools will know that they are getting
an employee that understands the expectations and demands of work.
Bermudas maintained schools have a long and distinguished history. However, theirupkeep and attention to ongoing maintenance over those years has been inconsistent
and often limited by the availability of funds.
In conjunction with the Ministries of Public Works and Environment and Planning,
the Ministry will initiate an audit of the physical plant of maintained schools with the
intent of establishing a facilities plan to address the state of schools.
This will ensure that the safety and health of our principals, teachers and students is
at the forefront of the transformation of the education system.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The mission of the Ministry of the Environment and Planning is to lead Bermuda
toward sustainability by managing our natural and built environments.
Through the Department of Environmental Protection, the Ministry will develop a
national strategy to revitalize the agriculture industry and strengthen the Islands
food security.
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Food security focuses not only on increasing local production but also developing
safeguards, laws and policies to minimize the risk of interruptions to supply.
The National Agriculture Strategy will, among other things, aim to increase the
protection of arable land and topsoil, encourage community and home gardening,
tackle the challenging issue of government land leases for dairy and produce farming,
and create opportunities in new technologies and job creation, within a modernized
legal and policy framework.
Through the Department of Conservation Services, the Ministry will develop a system
to better control invasive species, both plant and animal.
Invasive species, next to habitat destruction, pose the single biggest threat to the loss
of biodiversity on small oceanic islands, according to the United Nations. Bermudais no exception. The Island hosts at least 23 of the worlds top 100 invasive species,
including the kudzu vine, lionsh and the Mexican pepper tree.
The Ministry will specically target the lionsh, which has the potential to destroy
not only commercial sh species but all reef sh that preserve the Islands reef system.
Working with private companies, non-government organizations and volunteers, the
Government will implement the Lionsh Management Plan.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
As part of the Governments commitment to support St. Georges, the Department
of Parks will continue renovating Government-owned East End fortications, which
are an integral feature of the St. Georges World Heritage Site. This years efforts will
focus on Alexandra Battery, Gates Fort and the Ferry Reach Martello Tower.
In order to rectify the current state of the St. Georges Golf Course and to create jobopportunities in the East End, the Parks Department will create a temporary jobs
programme. The goal of this paid work programme will be to bring the St Georges
golf course back up to a level where it can be maintained on an ongoing basis for the
benet of the community.
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The Ministry of Environment and Planning, through the Department of Land
Surveys and Registration, will also introduce Land Title Registration to provide a
transparent, accessible and effective land information system something that has
not yet existed in Bermuda.
The Registry will compile and maintain an electronic record of land ownership,
guaranteeing legal ownership, rights and interests in registered land. This will
provide condence in property dealings by providing electronic public access to
guaranteed information on registered land, including detailed records of land owned
by non-Bermudian individuals and companies. The Land Title Registry Ofce will be
a self-sufcient, revenue generating operation.
The Government will conclude its work on the future planning for our Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ), which represents a vast circular area of ocean around the
island extending 200 miles from our shores. Following extensive public consultation,
the Department of Sustainable Development is analyzing the information gained
through this process.
EEZ planning presents Bermuda with a signicant opportunity to address our
economic, social and environmental sustainability. Planning allows for consideration
of a wide range of opportunities to stimulate direct foreign investment, strengthen
our shing industry and enhance Bermudas global reputation as a leading steward
of the high seas.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Ministry of Public Works will progress the use of ood modelling to assist the
community decision-making in the event of storms that threaten residents who live
in low-lying areas. The Ministry will also initiate work to provide the public withhurricane shelters at the east and west ends of the Island, in addition to the centrally
located CedarBridge Academy. Accordingly, the gymnasium roof at Clearwater
Middle School in St. Davids will be replaced as will the library roof at Sandys
Secondary Middle School. Completion of this work will give the Emergency Measures
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Investment Business Act 2003
Investment Funds Act 2006
Land Valuation and Tax Act 1967
Protected Species Act 2003
Trusts (regulation of Trust Business) Act 2001
USA-Bermuda Tax Convention Act 1986
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Government remains deeply concerned about the plight of many Bermudians:
the out-of-work father looking for a job, the mother who worries that her son isslipping into gang life; the high school student who cant nd a place in the workforce,
the senior who cant afford the electricity bill; and families struggling to care for an
ageing parent.
Overlaying these daily difculties, the Island faces an alarming combination of
economic and scal challenges that are simply not sustainable. The momentum
behind rising debt and decits and an under-performing economy all years in the
making must be broken.
The Governments mission is to defuse these challenges and rebuild the Island in
ways that meet the everyday needs and dreams of all Bermudians.
Steps to revitalize the economy are steps to grow jobs and opportunity in all areas of
life for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, small businessmen, landlords,
retailers and students looking for that rst job.
Steps to reform governance are parts of a plan to lock in place a system that will be
accountable, inclusive, transparent and fair, no matter the ofce holder.
Steps to wean young Bermudians away from gangs are steps toward safe communities
and hope for the future.
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Steps to teach people the skills to provide for their families are steps that will
strengthen the social fabric.
Madame President and Members of the SenateMr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
The Government sees our situation as an historic opportunity an opportunity to
restore and improve the quality of life and an opportunity to move forward on a
unifying path toward a Bermuda that is fair, free and just.
This is the opportunity of our generation: to right the ship and renew our potential to
grow in ways that leave us stronger and more secure, from generation to generation.
It is up to all of us, in this together, recognizing we have a duty to be our brothers
keeper, making sure everyone gets opportunity to succeed; all of us pulling together
for Bermuda, leaving no one behind.
Madame President and Members of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly
I am grateful for the convention which by tradition allows a Governor to add a few of
his own words at the end of the Throne Speech. I say his own words but I am gladto note that no fewer than three of my fellow Governors are now women.
It is clear that the next six months will see change. The leadership of both main
parties have acknowledged the need for change and spoken honestly and openly about
it. Changes, both to address the Governments nancial decit and to modernise the
public service, will cause some pain. The exact nature of the change will no doubt
be the subject of discussion, to put it mildly, among the public, between the parties
and perhaps within them, and understandably right across Bermuda. There is an
excellent prospect that Bermuda will emerge, as it has in the past, stronger, tter
and, I hope fairer, including to those who lack the nancial strength of others. I hope
that the commendably broad agreement on much of the need for change, and its form,
can be built on across the legislature and across Bermuda. There will not be complete
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